Explore Individual Coaching
and craft your character arc today!
"You are the only mystery
worth solving."
~The Eleventh Doctor, Doctor Who, Hide
Evolve Your Character Arc
Leadership isn’t just about managing people—it’s about shaping stories. Your story. Your team’s story. The story of how you show up every day.
Through one-on-one coaching, I’ll help you uncover your unique strengths, face challenges with clarity, and write the next chapter of your leadership journey with confidence.
Not Sure Where to Start?
The Personalized Strengths in Action Review
If you’re curious about coaching but not ready for a full commitment, the Strengths in Action Review is the perfect first step.
Here’s how it works:
- Share your CliftonStrengths results (Top 5 or full 34) and a recent leadership challenge or goal.
- I’ll analyze your strengths and record a 10–15 minute personalized video just for you.
- You’ll walk away with clear strategies you can apply immediately.
It’s like having a coach in your pocket...practical, strengths-based, and tailored to you.
Ready for Lasting Transformation?
Individual Coaching Program Packages
When you’re ready to go deeper, individual coaching offers a confidential, supportive space to grow as a leader. Together, we’ll explore your strengths, address obstacles, and design strategies that help you (and your team!) thrive. Each package is designed to meet you where you are and propel you toward your next chapter of authentic, unique, and powerful leadership.
The Prologue Package
$150
Goal: Lay the foundation for self-awareness and introduce the power of your innate talents. This package is perfect for those beginning their leadership development journey or seeking initial clarity on their strengths.
- Number of Sessions: 3 x 60-minute coaching sessions
- Description:
- Focused support for a specific leadership challenge.
- Perfect if you need clarity and quick wins.
The Protagonist Package
$270
Goal: Deepen your understanding of your strengths, align them with your values, and begin to actively shape your career vision and leadership presence. This package is for those ready to take a more active role in directing their professional path.
- Number of Sessions: 6 x 60-minute coaching sessions
- Description:
- Build momentum, strengthen your leadership habits, and create sustainable change.
- Best for leaders navigating transition or growth.
The Pinnacle Package
$500
Goal: Achieve advanced strengths integration, strategic leadership mastery, and sustained personal and professional evolution. This comprehensive package is designed for seasoned leaders ready to elevate their impact, influence others, and build high-performing teams.
- Number of Sessions: 12 x 60-minute coaching sessions
- Description:
- A comprehensive coaching journey to rewrite your leadership story.
- Ideal if you’re ready to fully evolve your leadership narrative.
"You cannot be anything you want to be, but you can be a whole lot more of
who you already are.
If you spend your life trying to be good at everything, you will never be great at anything."
~Tom Rath, Strengths Finder 2.0
It's time to STOP...
✔ Reacting to every plot twist instead of writing your own script
✔ Investing all your creative energy in supporting other characters' arcs while your own is on pause
✔ Investing all your creative energy in supporting other characters' arcs while your own is on pause
✔ Allowing your organization or external circumstances to dictate the entire plot of your professional and personal story
And time to START...
✔ Navigating challenges and igniting growth: Take decisive action to navigate setbacks, transforming them into strategic stepping stones towards peak professional and personal development
✔ Investing in your best self: Commit to your growth journey to fully unlock your potential, bringing increased confidence, clarity, and positive influence to all your interactions and relationships
✔ Investing in your best self: Commit to your growth journey to fully unlock your potential, bringing increased confidence, clarity, and positive influence to all your interactions and relationships
✔ Define your epic story: Take control of your career narrative, actively designing and sculpting the inspiring character arc of the leader you are becoming!
What people are saying
Working with Des was nothing short of transformative. Her unique gift of deep listening and asking powerful, thought-provoking questions helped me uncover perspectives I hadn’t considered before. Des brings not only strategic intelligence but also a deep well of empathy and intuition – she sees the whole person, not just the professional.
Her passion for the arts adds a refreshing layer of creativity to her coaching. She helped me and other colleagues who have never considered themselves as “creative” – unlock new ways of thinking and approaching challenges. Her communication style is clear, constructive, and always uplifting, which created a safe-judgement-free space where I could be honest, reflective, and bold in tackling professional hurdles.
What truly set Des apart is her authenticity and integrity. As my supervisor, I trusted her completely. She consistently honored confidentiality and modeled grace under pressure. With her support, I was able to set meaningful goals, stay accountable, and grow in ways I didn’t think were possible.
Des is an extraordinary coach for anyone ready to grow with purpose, clarity, and confidence.
Working with Desiree E. Santiago has honestly been a game-changer for me. She’s one of those leaders who makes you feel like you're never alone in your work. She checks in often, asks if you need anything — whether it’s training, guidance, or just a sounding board — and actually means it. You don’t feel like you're being managed; you feel like you're being supported.
What I really appreciate is how open she is. If you don’t understand something, she’ll break it down without ever making you feel small. She wants you to succeed and helps you get there step by step.
She builds trust by showing up, listening closely, and creating space for real conversations that lead to growth — not just in your work, but in how you think and approach challenges.
Desiree doesn’t just guide the team; she invests in each of us. She leads with purpose and makes sure we’re all equipped to bring our best.
Desiree makes you want to bring your best, not because you have to, but because you know she’s in it with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is leadership coaching, and how can it help me?
Leadership coaching is a partnership designed to help you clarify your goals, identify obstacles, and create action plans to achieve your highest potential. It's about empowering you to lead yourself and others more effectively, authentically, and powerfully.
How is coaching different from therapy, consulting, or mentoring?
Coaching is forward-focused, helping you unlock your own solutions and maximize future potential. Therapy often addresses past traumas or emotional healing. Consulting provides expert advice and solutions. Mentoring shares direct experience and guidance. Coaching uniquely empowers you to find your best path.
Who typically benefits most from leadership coaching?
Individuals seeking clarity on their career path, emerging leaders navigating new responsibilities, seasoned executives facing complex challenges, parents, teachers, project managers, community leaders, and anyone committed to personal growth and maximizing their impact.
Additionally, your leaders, colleagues, teammates and family members will benefit from your embodying your best self in all you do!
What does "Character Arc Leadership Coaching" mean?
Your "character arc" is the transformative journey you undertake to become your best self. Our coaching guides you through this evolution, leveraging your strengths and insights to intentionally shape your leadership narrative and achieve profound personal and professional growth.
What makes Character Arc Leadership Coaching unique?
We combine deep expertise from over 20 years in Federal HR strategy and operations, 12+ years leading high-performing teams, and a certified strengths-based methodology. Our unique approach focuses on integrating your innate talents with practical leadership strategies to ensure authentic and sustainable evolution.
What is your coaching philosophy?
My philosophy is rooted in the belief that true leadership emerges from authenticity and leveraging inherent strengths. I partner with clients to foster self-awareness, unlock potential, and empower them to lead from their unique zone of genius and superpowers.
What are Clifton Strengths, and why do you use them?
Clifton Strengths is a globally recognized assessment that identifies your top natural talents (your strengths). We use it because understanding your unique talents provides a powerful foundation for self-awareness, personal development, and highly effective leadership. It's about building on what's already strong within you.
Do I need to complete a Clifton Strengths assessment before starting coaching?
While not strictly required for an initial consultation, our coaching packages include the Clifton Strengths assessment. It's highly recommended as it provides invaluable insights that accelerate the coaching process and deepen your self-understanding.
How do you integrate Clifton Strengths into your coaching process?
Your Strengths insights become a core lens through which we explore your goals, challenges, communication style, and leadership approach. We focus on how to consciously apply your dominant talents to overcome obstacles, enhance performance, and achieve your objectives more naturally and effectively.
How do coaching sessions work?
Sessions are typically 30-60 minutes long and are conducted virtually via video conference, allowing flexibility regardless of your location. Each session is client-driven, focusing on your goals, insights, and actionable next steps.
How long does a typical coaching engagement last?
Our coaching packages range from 2-session "Prologue" introductions to 8-session "Pinnacle" transformative journeys. The ideal duration depends on your specific goals and desired depth of transformation. Additional sessions can be purchased after your initial package has completed.
What is the time commitment outside of our sessions?
While sessions are dedicated time, the real work happens between sessions. This includes reflection, practicing new behaviors, implementing action steps, and journaling. The more you commit, the greater your results.
Is my coaching confidential?
Absolutely. All coaching conversations are strictly confidential, adhering to the highest ethical standards of the coaching profession.
What can I expect to achieve through coaching with Character Arc Leadership Coaching?
Clients typically experience increased self-awareness, enhanced leadership effectiveness, greater clarity on career direction, improved communication skills, boosted confidence, and a more authentic and fulfilling professional life.
How quickly will I see results?
Results vary by individual and commitment. Many clients experience shifts in perspective and clarity from the very first session, with tangible progress towards goals often evident within weeks. Sustainable transformation unfolds over the duration of the coaching engagement.
How much does coaching cost?
Our coaching is offered through structured packages designed to provide comprehensive support and value. You can find detailed information on our website or schedule a discovery call to discuss your needs and find the best fit.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, flexible payment options are available for longer-term packages. We can discuss this during your discovery call.
Your Journey Awaits
it's time to....
- Step out of the Shire
- Rappel into the Rabbit Hole
- Opt into Oz
- Press through Platform 9 3/4
And embark on the journey of your lifetime!
